Mt Don Bosco, the Salesian Novitiate of the province of Bangalore, was started in May 1997 at Padivayal in Wayanad District of Kerala on a 29-acre plot ideally surrounded by forests, tea and coffee estates, pepper and plantation crops in a village setting with a moderate climate. In the year 1997, when Kotagiri was handed over to the Chennai Province as decided by the major superiors, the Novitiate was shifted to Padivayal. The new Novitiate building was blessed and Inaugurated On 26 January 1998.

Don Bosco Padivayal, with its conducive ambience and qualified personnel provides a suitable setting for the novices to discern their vocation, form their minds and hearts in the spirit and charism of Don Bosco; enlightened by the person of Christ and His Gospel. The various programmes organised here Promote human maturity, intellectual preparation, deepening the understanding of consecrated life and of the Salesian religious life, initiation into apostolic work, and the Educational method thus bringing about a harmonious unity of contemplation and apostolic action.